The arrest of two soldiers who were captured on camera torturing a man who was partially naked in a room in Port Harcourt has been confirmed by the Nigerian Army.
The soldiers were seen torturing the man with belts in the footage that went viral on Tuesday.
Nigerians reacted strongly to it, demanding that the soldiers be detained and prosecuted.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigeria Army, verified the troops’ apprehension.
He said that the army had punished the soldiers in question because it was troubled by the viral footage.
“We view with utmost dismay the unprofessional conduct of two of our personnel involved in the brutality of a civilian in Rivers state – in a video making the round.
“It is instructive to mention that the soldiers involved in that unprofessional conduct have been clearly identified and arrested.
“The division wishes to unequivocally state that the Nigeria Army remain a professional force that conducts its activities in adherence to established rules of engagement,” he said.
Danjuma said the army recognises the fundamental human rights of citizens, and as such, frowned at any form of infraction by personnel.
“To this end, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamaal Abdulsalam, has directed a full-scale investigation to be conducted immediately.
“The GOC, who is also the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, further reassured that those involved will be sanctioned.
“So, we encourage members of the public to continue to provide credible information about such unprofessional conduct, as the division is responsive to the public,” he added.
The soldiers’ actions were characterized by the army spokesman as an isolated incident that is being quickly handled by army headquarters.
